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Aviation History
1950
1950 - 0180.PDF
i2o FLIGHT. 26 January 1950 Bombers B-29 Superfortresses demonstrate the Boeing-developed "flying-boom " refuelling technique, whereby the rigid boom is "flown " by the operator through the medium of small aerofoil surfaces. over conventional large airframes in respect of drag reduc- tion, increased rangt .ind speed, and weight-lifting ability. Since the weight is distributed along the span, a relatively light structure is possible, and this accounts for the very favourable rati of gross weight to empty weight (213,0001b: 88,100 lb) of the B-49, as powered with eight J-35 turbojets. Provision is made for a crew of seven (pilot, co-pilot, navi- gator, radio operator, flight engineer, bomb aimer, and gunner) in this 172-ft flying-wing bomber, described by the U.S.A.F. as "the world's longest-ranging jet aircraft." On the score of range it can be recorded that a YB-49 pro- totype has flown non-stop for 3,458 miles at an average speed of 382 m.p.h. Uncertain as the future of this form of flying-wing bomber appears, there is good reason to suppose that true delta-wing bombers are already on the drawing boards, and that some designs may favour other wing configurations, including, perhaps, the '' crescent'' form. America's newest jet bomber project is the Boeing XB-52, which is still in the mock-up stage, though two prototypes are on order. Following B-47 lines, even in having out- The uppermost »ie*» siiowa Uie cockpit of the North AmericanTornado jet bomber. Below it is depicted the British Flight Refuelling technique (B-50 receiver with B-29 tanker). rigged jet "pods" and a "bicycle" undercarriage, this type will be appreciably heavier (the gross weight is rumoured to be approximately 250,0001b) but, neverthe- less, of higher performance. Of operating techniques for jet bombers a great deal remains to be discovered and proved. Cruising at 40- 45,000ft these aircraft can more than double their sea-level range and it will normally be necessary for them to climb to optimum height straight from take-off, and to remain there as long as possible. Modern piston-engined bombers are similarly operated at high levels, not only for maximum economy but in order to handicap opposing fighters and anti-aircraft guns. Heights between 35,000 and 45,000ft are considered normal for the B-36, and the B-50, which, in its present form, has an absolute ceiling of 40,000ft, can cruise at 30-35,oooft. At 25,000ft the tabin altitude is 5,500ft. The B-29, fore- runner of the B-50, and the so-called Tu-170, the Russian copy of the B-29, aj:e capable .of sustained cruising at heights between 25,000 and 35,000ft. Like the Avro Lin coins of the R.A.F., the American and Soviet bombers B-36 bombers being prepared by night at the Fort Worth, Texas, plant of Consolidated Vultee, for delivery to U.S.A.F. units- Tf*\ «9 3a
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